MFA and IOM in Thailand Launch New Migration Journalism E-Learning Course to Strengthen Ethical Reporting

Bangkok, Thailand (20 February 2026) – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Thailand, as well as Social Lab – Migration in Media (collaboration between Mahidol University, Chulalongkorn University, and Hanyang University, the Republic of Korea) co-organized the Migration Journalism Curriculum Launch and Validation Seminar. The event served as the official launch of the new training curriculum on migration reporting aimed at strengthening ethical and evidence‑based reporting on migration across the country.

The event was presided over by Mrs. Maratee Nalita Andamo, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Information, MFA, and Ms. Michiko Ito, Chief of Mission ad interim at IOM Thailand. It was attended by 20+ journalists, academic experts and representatives from government agencies and civil society organizations.

Migration is a defining global phenomenon shaping economies, labour markets and societies worldwide. Around the world, public discourse on migration often struggles to keep pace with its complexity and scale. As a key migration hub in Southeast Asia, Thailand hosts millions of migrants who contribute substantially to its economy.

The new curriculum represents the culmination of more than two years of sustained cooperation between MFA and IOM Thailand, together with Social Lab – Migration in Media, in joint capacity-building efforts and consultations. Since 2023, more than 300 journalists, students, civil society representatives and government officials have participated in training on ethical migration reporting. The overall capacity building efforts have resulted in the publication of over 30 stories in national print and digital media outlets, offering a more nuanced and human-centred perspective on migration in Thailand.

The newly launched e-learning curriculum distills these lessons into structured, accessible learning modules. It offers practical knowledge on migration fundamentals, protection considerations for vulnerable groups and ethical reporting frameworks tailored to Thailand’s media landscape. The course will be available online free of charge by the beginning of March 2026 on the website of the Global Migration Media Academy, an initiative by IOM. It is delivered in both Thai and English, and designed as a self-paced programme, allowing participants to complete the modules at their convenience. A certificate of completion will be issued to participants who successfully complete the course.

The launch aligns with Thailand’s role as a Champion Country of the Global Compact for Migration (GCM). The newly launched curriculum underscores Thailand’s continued leadership in fostering balanced and inclusive public narratives to support the well-being of migrants ahead of the 2026 International Migration Review Forum (IMRF).

This seminar is part of a joint project on "Promoting Evidence-based Migration Discourse and Media Reporting" under cooperation between MFA and IOM Thailand and funded by IOM Development Fund.

Originally publoshed by IOM